Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of learning difficulties and incoordination in neurofibromatosis

Areas of increased signal seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain are frequently present in neurofibromatosis and are considered possible areas of dysplasia or heterotopias. Since Rosman and Pearce [Brain 1967; 90:829-838] have shown that neuronal heterotopias in deep cerebral white matter are associated with mental retardation in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1), we hypothesized that these areas of increased signal seen on MRI should be associated with learning difficulties or incoordination in children with NF-1. Using MRI, we studied 31 children with NF-1 and attempted to correlate the presence of areas of increased signal with learning difficulties or incoordination. We found no association. This suggests that either these areas of increased signal are heterotopias which are not associated with learning difficulties or incoordination, or these areas of increased signal are not heterotopias and are not relevant to the study of learning problems or incoordination in children with NF-1.